Portable content by way of a set-top device/home-gateway

• US 20020146237A1
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Safadi, Reem
• Application Number:
  US09/827,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20020146237A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91321 the copy protection signal being a copy protection control signal, e.g. a record inhibit signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91328 the copy protection signal being a copy management signal, e.g. a copy generation management signal [CGMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91364 the video signal being scrambled
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus

Abstract

The apparatus and method for information and content portability includes a transmitting device, a media device, and at least one receiver/playback device. The transmitting device transfers information or content, optionally as encrypted data over a secured channel in accordance with digital rights management rules. The media device, being interfaced to the transmitting device, receives the transferred information or content from the transmitting device and retransmits the content received from the transmitting device to at least one receiver/playback device. The receiver/playback device, being interfaced to the media device, receives and processes the information or content received that'"'"'s been retransmitted by the media device. The devices may be co-located or not (i.e., home, automobile, or office) and may optionally leverage set-top, home gateways, and personal communication devices to facilitate portability.

Claims

1. An apparatus for distributing content comprising:

transmitting device for transferring said content;

media device for receiving said transferred content, said media device is interfaced to said transmitting device, wherein said media device outputs said received content;

receiver/playback device for receiving and reproducing said outputted content, wherein said receiver/playback device is interfaced to said media device and said outputted content is received from the media device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device disallows the transfer of said content when said media device detects an illegal or unauthorized device as said receiver/playback device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said transmitting device disallows the transfer of said content when said transmitting device detects an illegal or unauthorized device as said media device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said content is transferred as encrypted information over a secured channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said transmitting device comprises one of a set-top, a recorder, and a set-top/recorder combination.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device comprises one of a stationary storage device, a portable storage device, a removable storage medium, storage within a mobile device, and a secure digital card.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device being simultaneously interfaced with said transmitting device and said receiver/playback device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device being interfaced with said transmitting device while not being interfaced with said receiver/playback device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device being interfaced with said receiver/playback device while not being interfaced with said transmitting device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device being interfaced with said transmitting device over a wireless network.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said media device being interfaced with said transmitting device over a wired network.